Youth Leadership Billings

Youth Leadership Billings 2015 . . .

26 years of helping our youth become effective leaders

Presented by:

The Billings Area is a growing, changing community. Keeping our city vibrant and healthy requires insightful leaders who have the ability to communicate and work effectively with a wide variety of groups and individuals. Youth Leadership Billings, a program of the Billings Chamber of Commerce, is designed to facilitate the personal development of the leaders of tomorrow by exposing them to the various elements that interact to form a strong economy and a dynamic community. This is done through education, networking, peer interaction, problem solving and project cooperation. Keynote speakers, panel discussions, experiential exercises, and site visits provide an opportunity for participants to explore the city’s history and economy; interact with and learn from business, government, and educational leaders; further develop interpersonal and leadership skills; gain insight into community issues; and learn about volunteer opportunities.

Goals of youth leadership billings

To acquaint our young leaders with the Billings area: its history, government, judicial system, health and social services, businesses and economics.

To motivate young leaders to become more involved in volunteerism by educating them about the issues and needs of the community.

To expose students to potential career choices through interaction with community leaders and professionals.

To provide the opportunity for students from our high schools to meet and establish relationships with one another through meaningful interaction.

Eligibility

Any junior enrolled at these high schools: Central, Senior, Skyview, West, Laurel and Shepherd are invited to apply.

Students should:

 -Express an interest in learning more about the Billings area.

 -Commit to fully participate in the program.

 -Receive approval from a parent or guardian and high school principal or guidance counselor to participate.

Attendance

Youth Leadership Billings consists of eight meetings: a kick-off retreat, five program days, one community work-day, and a graduation luncheon. All days run from 8 am to 3 pm except the graduation luncheon, which will take place from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Please review the YLB program dates and consult with your parent or guardian and principal or counselor about attendance commitments. Since it is vital to the success of the program that you are present at each meeting to add your perspective and to interact with the others, you are expected to attend all meetings, if selected. If necessary, you may request an absence. Your school principal, counselor and/or parents/guardian will be notified of any absences. Attendance at the kick-off retreat is mandatory.

Tuition

A $100 tuition fee is payable to the Billings Chamber of Commerce upon notification of selection. This fee helps to cover the cost of the retreat, programming, materials, meals, and group transportation. If the $100 tuition fee creates an undue hardship for you or your family, need-based scholarships are available. Upon notification of selection to participate in YLB, you will be given the opportunity to apply for financial assistance.

2014-2015 Program Agenda

YLB 2015 will run October through May. The program days will be held on the third Wednesday each month from 8 am – 3 pm. The scheduled dates are shown below. Meals are provided for each program day. To give students a geographic perspective of the Billings area, sessions are held at different locations around the city. Detailed agendas will be provided prior to each meeting.

Kick-off Retreat

October 15, 2014 ~ 8 am-3 pm. Students explore and discuss leadership traits through team building and problem solving activities and other exercises that assist the students in getting to know one another. Attendance at the kick-off retreat is mandatory.

Program Days – 8 am-3 pm, third wednesday

November-Social Service Day

December-Government Day

February -Business/Economics Day

March – Tourism/Culture Day

April – Healthcare Day

Community Work Day

May, exact date TBD (Youth & Adult Leadership work together on community service projects.)

Graduation Luncheon

May, exact date TBD (Youth & Adult Leadership)

Thank you to our Youth Leadership 2015 Sponsors:

Photo

You must submit a photo of yourself upon notification of selection. Your photo will be used in the YLB class directory to be published in the Chamber e-newsletter. (Submitted photos do not need to be taken professionally. A school photo, passport photo or digital photo is acceptable.)

Applicants will participate in a personal interview at their high school with Adult Leadership alumni. Interviews will be scheduled the week following the application deadline.

Participants are selected to participate in the YLB program based upon the sole discretion of the Leadership alumni and such selection is based on certain criteria established by the Billings Chamber. The Chamber reserves the right to establish the selection process in a manner it deems appropriate. Note, however, the selection process explicitly prohibits any and all discrimination based on gender, national origin, race, physical disability or the like.